Confessed ‘would be thief’ released to get help

‘Would be thief’ Leslie McKenzie, a 26 year old from Huntums Ghut, was given a chance by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards to access help when he appeared before her on November 29, 2013. Photo: VINO/File

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – ‘Would be thief’ Leslie McKenzie, a 26 year old from Huntums Ghut, was given a chance by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards to access help when he appeared before her on November 29, 2013.

Mckenzie had pleaded guilty on September 12, 2013 of going equipped to steal after being found at Hodge’s Creek marina with a bag containing a number of items including a pair of latex gloves, knife, a ratchet handle and a number of other tools.

“I had intention of theft but changed my mind. I have on and off jobs and had a part time job and I’m sorry,” McKenzie had told Magistrate Richards when asked if he had anything to say before she passed sentence on him.

The magistrate acknowledged that McKenzie has been in prison since his first appearance despite the fact that she had placed him on bail. She then placed him on a bond to keep the peace for two years or spend two months in prison.

In addition, the Magistrate told McKenzie “I am not a counselor, I can’t tell what it is but I know that you have a problem.” She then ordered the man to attend the Sandy Lane Centre for counselling. She told the court she did not believe jail would be of any help to him.

Having read the story reported by VINO and having read the interesting bloggs written by these intelligent bloggers,I decided as usual to share some of my knowledge on BVI law,relating to this serious offence:

The BVI Law-"Going Equipt To Steal"-Section 230 of the BVI Criminal Code,1997:

Section 230 of the BVI Criminal Code of 1997-Laws of the Virgin Islands states:-

"" (1) A person commits an offence if, when not at his place of abode,he has with him any article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary, theft or cheat, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years"".

In 2006, section 230 of the code, of that law in the BVI was Amended by the introduction into law of the

[The Criminal Code(Amendment) Act,2006:

The new Amendment states:-

""By deleting the items relating to section 230 and substituting the following items-
(a) On summary conviction 5 years-
(b) On conviction on indictment 10 years:

BVI law defined this offence in the category of ""SERIOUS OFFENCE"" because of the penalty associated with the offence!

Legal team will not comment on the Magistrate's decision,to just release a convicted man into the public without a professional assessment of this man:

What if he goes to steal again,but sees someone and attack a person to execute his stealing?

Past case in review:

When Mr.Alred Frett published a legal and lawful article on VINO,Mr.Frett,who DID NOT COMMIT AN OFFENCE in the BVI was chastised UNLAWFULLY,and his name published UNLAWFULLY, and they claimed that Mr.Frett was in hot water for his publication on VINO:

By letter,I wrote to the Governor,to inform him that what the Public Officials did to Mr.Frett was UNCONSTITUTIONAL and UNLAWFULLY:

The Governor responded with a letter of acceptance,and advised on what action he will take:

But,Your Excellency,this story above to release a convicted man into the public, is shameful and a threat to National Security:

That is why if the abuse done to Mr.Frett is not investigated by the DPP, I will take my complaint to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office-UK and also to Her Majesty-The Queen of Buckingham Palace:

Justice must only be done, but manifestly seen to be done in ALL circumstance!

I will not relent,untill the Governor informs me that the actions of the public officials on Alred Frett WERE--Unconstitutional AND Unlawful according to BVI laws!

Let the EVIL forces blogg me down for my freedom of Speech;and let the EVIL-wishes of those EVIL-doers return to them, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. I fear no earthly-man:

hit dem with the law the truth and there unfairness.they had attack mr alred because they wanted to get at vino so if you know the law and you hav the gutts to write to complain do it cause all ah we fraid to do what is right

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